Arsenal: Van Domselaar; Holmberg, Wubben-Moy, Codina, McCabe; Pelova, Maanum, Mariona; Kelly, Russo, Foord
Substitutes: Borbe (GK), Votikova (GK), Fox, Williamson, Harwood, Catley, Hinds, Little
Arsenal, the Champions of Europe, are through to the quarter-final of the Champions League, beating OH Leven 3-1 on the night and 7-1 on aggregate. Alessia Russo scored twice in a game that, with tough conditions and essentially a dead rubber, took a long time to get going.
With Olivia Smith suspended, Alessia Russo started upfront, while there was another start for Laia Codina in defence and Victoria Pelova, who started in the first leg. Smila Holmberg replaced Emily Fox, who was booked last week.
On a soaking wet pitch, Leuven went for goal from kickoff, firing well wide.
The first real clear chance of the match came after 20 minutes. A ball over the top found Conijnenberg who was behind Codina and Wubben-Moy, but Van Domselaar stuck a leg out as she advanced and saved the shot.
Arsenal took the lead on 23 minutes. McCabe found Russo on the edge of the box. She twisted away from her defender and shot with her left, beating Seynhaeve. 1-0.
Leuven looked to have the ball in the back of the net, on 29 minutes as Pustzai smartly tucked away Evaraerts’ cutback after Leuven recycled a corner. The flag went up against Evaraerts but the decision went to VAR and the goal was given. 1-1.
Kelly won a corner, and after McCabe’s delivery was cleared, Holmberg shot well over from the edge of the box.
Putszai was played in behind, but Van Domselaar grabbed her cutback.
Arsenal cheaply lost the ball in midfield allowing another Leuven counter but Codina cutout the pass and stemmed the counter-attack.
One minute was added on at the end of the first half.
There were no changes at half time.
Van Domselaar’s pass out was intercepted but Arsenal scrambled clear as the Gunners continued to struggle in the conditions and with a substantial lead.
Kim Little replaced Chloe Kelly and Emily Fox replaced Smila Holmberg on 59 minutes, with Pelova going out wide.
On 64 minutes, Foord drove to the byline and was tripped by Everaerts. The penalty was given. Mariona stepped up and tucked the penalty into the far right corner. 2-1.
On 68 minutes Maanum did well to get away in midfield before slipping the ball for Russo. She took a touch and shot well, with Seynhaeve pushing the shot around the post at full stretch.
Seynhaeve was called into action again. From the goal kick, Arsenal won possession, Russo flicked the ball for Foord, and her shot, hit with her left foot, was pushed over the bar.
On 75 minutes, Leah Williamson and Steph Catley replaced Wubben-Moy and Codina.
Maanum headed over from close range after a good cross from the right from McCabe after a corner.
Taylor Hinds replaced Katie McCabe on 82 minutes.
Alessia Russo added a third in the 90th minute. After a long period of possession, Foord played inside to Hinds. She passed centrally to Russo, who turned her defender and poked a right footed shot past Seynhaeve. 3-1.
Three minutes were added on at the end of the second half.
Pelova shot just wide of the far post after Foord drove into the box then cut across.